LAND USE PLANNING APPROACHES TO MITIGATING GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT NOISE

Land use controls are one technique for regulating the adverse impact of aircraft noise in airport environs. Air carrier airports have generally been the focus of land use compatibility planning. However, general aviation airports represent the vast majority of airports in the United States. Encroaching development in the vicinity of general aviation airports in suburbanizing regions will, absent effective land use planning, result in public pressure to close airports. An examination of the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of available land use planning techniques and strategies for mitigating aircraft noise is presented. The effectiveness of land use controls depends on the implementation of policies and regulations at different governmental levels. A case study of airport noise compatibility planning in New Jersey is presented. It appears that some effective planning controls exist to regulate land uses and to limit land use incompatibilities. However, the concentration of land use regulatory powers at the local level has not and cannot ensure that noise compatibility planning will take precedence over other local interests. A more direct role for the state and federal governments in regulating land use compatibility in the airport community environment is suggested. Their participation is necessary in order that the viability of the national system of airports not be lost.